Unlike other big infrastructure projects, the process of choosing a site for a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) requires the explicit consent of a willing community.
Forming the GDF Community Partnership is not a commitment to agree to a GDF in this area. Neither is surveying potential sites or planning how the community could potentially benefit from the project. We can withdraw from the process at any time, for any reason.
Before a decision is made to seek development consent from the Secretary of State, or regulatory approvals for a GDF from the Environment Agency and the Office for Nuclear Regulation, there must be a Test of Public Support by the potential host community to demonstrate it is willing to host a GDF.
A community can withdraw from the siting process at any time up until it has taken a Test of Public Support.
Any decision on whether to withdraw the community would be taken by the Local Authority on the Partnership.
The developer (Nuclear Waste Services) can also withdraw at any time, for example, if they determine that the siting process is unlikely to be successful.